Posted by Julio at 12:54 AM, February 25, 2009

UNFORTUNATELY the video's have been removed from YouTube. If anyone has another source please leave a comment here.

Today's Baren blog brings a short documentary (total running time about 20 minutes) depicting the best known work of the last master of ukiyoe - Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858). The documentary goes in depth into Hiroshige's artistic perspective and liberal artistic license.
Part 3 describes the effort put forth in 2001 to do a reprint of the complete series (actually 55 prints) using restored blocks carved in the 1950's. Interviews with printers Okuyama Yoshito and Tetsui Takayuki.

Visit http://www.hiroshige.org.uk/ for an in depth look at Hiroshige's work, including many variations on the Tokaido series, articles, a comprehensive bibliography and old photographs of the Tokaido stations.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3